US actor/director Malik Yoba returned to Trinidad Carnival 2011 for the second year in a row as part of the Antilia VIP Group that “played mas” this year in Carnival bands TRIBE and new band BLISS, TRIBE’s new, more intimate, service-oriented band which debuted this year. Yoba has teamed up with music/travel journalist Baz Dreisinger and world-renowned photographer Jonathan Mannion, also part of Antilia’s contingent, as well as Antilia CEO Simon Khan, to film and photograph the Trinidad Carnival experience with an aim towards releasing a documentary on the festival next year.

WHAT ARE YOUR EARLIEST MEMORIES OF CARNIVAL IN T&T?

I have been attending T&T Carnival since the mid-’90s when I was doing New York Undercover. But it finally took my friend Simon Khan of Antilia to bring me down. I played mas with “Bliss” and “Tribe” this year.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT CARNIVAL?

I am working on a documentary with music/travel journalist Baz Driesinger and celebrity photographer/director Jonathan Mannion to help promote one of the world’s greatest man-made wonders! This is my humble contribution to help do what I think the Trinidadian Tourism Corporation should be doing more of!

WHAT’S YOUR MIDDLE NAME?

Kashie. It means born on a Sunday.

AND THE LAST BIT OF SOCA MUSIC THAT STIRRED YOUR SOUL?

Palance. I know there was good music this year, especially with the return of Machel, but last year was my first Carnival and I was Palancing down deh pon di road the whole time!

WHICH COLOGNE ARE YOU CURRENTLY SPLASHING?

Black Orchid by Tom Ford.

SHARE WITH US YOUR LAST BIT OF RETAIL THERAPY.

Three pairs of Gucci loafers, one of them is a ‘sick’ light blue suede! A Lanvin windbreaker, tight as hell! A few new custom-built suits. I’m still on my spring shopping and purging campaign. A few times every year, I clean out my closets and donate my old clothes to charity.

WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED CARNIVAL BEVERAGE?

Water, if I don’t want to get drunk on the road or at the endless fetes! But if I do decide to get a lil tipsy…well…hmmm…I can get creative!

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE CARNIVAL MEAL?

Shark and Bake for the first time!

WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT PROJECTS?

Shooting a film called Recalled with Bow Wow and Aidan Quinn about a NY National Guard unit about to head to Iraq in 2004 and Bow Wow’s character attempts to go AWOL to be with his terminally ill son. Then I head to Toronto to shoot a new series for the SyFy Channel called Alphas. I have special powers in the show. It’s really cool.

WHAT UPSETS YOU?

People who don’t do what they say they will do. People who lack integrity. But then I get over it quickly and just put those folks in the bucket of those not to be dealt with. The world is full of them, unfortunately.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE SPOTS IN TRINIDAD?

Who ever I wining on during Carnival! LOL!!

SHARE SOME PLACES IN YOUR CARNIVAL BLACK BOOK.

Bad mon neva talk!

FINALLY, WHAT’S YOUR PHILOSOPHY?

Build your own generator so when they turn off the power you still have lights!